Circuit-controlling device.



I R. B. PATTERSON. CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE. 4PPLIOA'1'IOH Hum JULY a,190g. 4 I 918,086; Patented Apr; 13, 1909. I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES ROBERT B. PATTERSON,

OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT'OF COLUMBIA.

GIRCUlT-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 13, 1909.

Application filed July 3,1906. Serial N0. 324,600.

* terrupting, o of establishing and interrupting an electric circuit,preferably at predetermined times.

In its preferred embodiment the device comprises a clock mechanism,adjustable contacts adapted to be closed by a device operated by saidclock mechanism, and electromagnetic means controlled through saidclock-operated contacts and serving to establish or interrupt theelectric circuit;

-,- Means are also provided whereby the circuit through the saidelectro-magnetic means is broken after such impulse has been imparted asis sufficient either for the establishment or the interruption of themain circuit. a

The circuit-controlling device is adapted, among other uses, forcontrolling arc lamp circuits, and in such use may conveniently beinserted in a lamp -supporting pole or standard and arranged in circuitwith such number of lamps as it may be desired to light or extinguish atone time. The apparatus is designed particularly for such use, and whilecapable of controlling circuits carrying relatively heavycurrents, itmay be of small size and adapted in exterior dimensions for insertion instandard types of poles; it is moreover simple in construction, capableof minute adjustment as to the time of establishing or interrupting thecircuit, is not liable to derangement owing to changes of temperature orother causes, and does not require skilled labor for its maintenance oradjustment.

For a full understanding of my invention reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation'of apreferred form of circuit-controlling device, the cover of theswitch-casing being removed, and the circuit connections omitted; Fig. 2is a diagrammatic View showing the circuit connections; Fig. 3 is asectional view of a device for interrupting the electromagnetic circuitatpredetermined intervals and for predeter mined times;'Fig. 4 is a faceview of the will, the arms being ada same partly broken away; and Fig. 5is a detail View of one form of device for controlling theelectromagnetic circuit.

Referring to the ures, 1 represents a casing adapted for insertion in astandard pole, 1;"

the exterior dimensions of the casing preferably not exceeding 4-}; by eby 12 inches; 2- represents the face of a rotatable clock dial the clocktrain being suitably incased and being preferably adapted to give onerevolution of the dial in eachtwenty-four hours; this dial 2 isrotatable with a pinion 3 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, said pinionhavin double" the number of teeth of the usuatwelve-houtpinion'i of theclock-train. In the form illustrated the dial 2 is of metal, and isdivided into hour periods and convenient subdivisions thereof, thesubdivisions indicated being fifteen-minute periodsv The clock dial maybe shaded or colored in part to indicate the night hours.

5 and 6 represent. conductive arms, the angular position of which isadjustable at ted to be clamped together and to the dia 2 by means of amilled clam iin nut 7. The armo is ada ted at each revolution to engagea spring contact 8 secured to the casing as shown at 9, said springcontact being included in the electromagnetic circuit as hereinafterdescribed. The arms 5and 6, being in electrical contact with the dial 2,are also included in said circuit. The arm 6 is shown as somewhat longerthan the arm 5 and is adapted at each revolution to engage a springcontact 10, shown in dotted lines in F1 1. The spring contacts 8 and 10are suitably insulated from each other. I

In its preferred form each of the arms 5, 6 is turned outwardly at itsend as shown at 11, and. to the inner face of this outwardly turnedportion is secured with interposed insulation a metal strip having anupturned end 12 which projects beyond the outer face of the arm, in linewith a portion 13 of the latter which is radial with. respect to thedial 2. The purpose of this arrangement is to secure accuracy in time ofcontact as follows: The portion 13 of each arm being set to registerwith any of the radial lines on the face of the dial 2 as may bedesired, the s ring contact will be first engaged by the insu atd strip12 and will be pressed outwardly thereby, without, however, closing-thecircuit; as the strip 12 passes beyond the end of "the spring-the in alower extension 31 of the core 16.

' shown in Fig. 2.

' latter will strike the upturned end of the arm .circuit, the'terminals18, 20 and 19, 21, re-

spectively, being adapted to be spanned by bridges 22, 23 shown as ofthe laminated copper type. These bridges are carried by curved arms 24,25, pivotally mounted upon the casing 1 at 26 and 27, respectively.These arms are connected by a toggle lever 28, the toggle pin 29 passingthrough a slot 30 A spring 32 extends between the arms 24, 25

and serves to assist the break on the upward movement of the core and toretain the parts in the open position during such time as the maincircuit is interrupted.

33, 34 represent fixed terminals adapted to be bridged by a springcontact 35 pivotally mounted on the terminal 33, as most clearly shownin Fig. 5. In the upper position of the core 16 this contact is closedby the action of a spring 36, but on its downward movement the lowerinsulated end 37 of the extension 31 depresses about portion 38 of thecontact 35 and-interrupts the circuit, the circuit being broken so longas the core remains in its lower position, that is. to say, so long asthe switch is closed.

The operation of the device as above described Will be readilyunderstood by reference to the diagrammatic circuit connections 39represents a source of direct or alternating current connected to theterminalslS, 19 res ectively; the terminal 18 is also in direct eectrical connection with the moving arms 5, 6 through the dial Thecontact 8 serves for closing the switch andis connected through lead 40,contacts 33 and Stand the upper solenoid 1 1-, with the supply terminal19. Contact 10 serves for opening the switch and is directly connectedthrough the lower solenoid 15 with the load terminal 21. In both figuresthe mechanism is shown in full lines in the on position, the arm 6progressing toward the contact 10, upon reaching which the main circuitwill be opened through the switch. It

- will be noted that no current traverses either solenoid in eitherposition of the switch.

;When the arm 6 reaches the contact 10 the electroma metic circuit will'be closed through the lo 'er solenoid 15 and the bridge 23, and theconsequent upward movement of the core will open the main circu t,thereby interrupting the electromagnetic circuit.

at the bridge 23. The switch will remain open until the arm 5 is broughtagain into contact with the spring 8, whereupon the by extending thetoggle lever 28; by said downward movement the bent portion 38 ol thecontact 35is depressed, thereby breaking the circuit of the solenoid 14at this point. It will be noted that in the case of either solenoid theclosing of the-switcl1opcrating circuit is momentary, and does notendure for the full period required for the arms 5 or 6 to pass thecontacts '8 or 10.

, It is often desirable to provide supplemental arms, correspondinginform to 5 and 6, respectively, but set at convenient intervals,say onehour, after said arms 5 and'6, the purpose of these supplemental armsbeing toinsure the opening or closing of the switch in case the firstcontact should fail to operate for any reason, as, for instance, becauseof an interruption of the current atthe 1 particular time when the armswere traversing the contacts. It will be further understood that anynumber of arms corresponding in form to arms 5 and 6 may be supplied,and setas desired with relation to the dial, thereby opening and closingthe circuit as many. times and at such intervals as may be desirable.

In addition to serving as a guide for the core the slot 30 serves inopening the 'switch to permit a certain free movement of the corebeforev the end of the slot strikes the toggle pin 29, whereby adefinite blow is deliver-ed upon the latter and the operation isrendered more certain.

It will be understood that the circuit through the solenoids may beclosed by hand or by means other than the clock movement, and suchclosing may be effected a central station or other point remote from theswitch; and my invention is not restricted to the use of a clockmovement for controlling the switch.- It will, be further understoodthat even when control is effected by a clock movement the clock may besituated at a point remote from the switch, and that one clock maycontrol any desired number of switches. V1" hen the clock is placed inthe lamp standard as above described I prefer to mount in proximitythereto .a heating de vice, usually consisting. of an incandescent lamp,the circuit of which is controlled by a thermostat adapted to close thesame when the temperature falls to such low point as might interferewith the operation of the clock: such device forms no part of my pres-.ent invention and need not be further described herein. I

In the use of the switch for controlling illuminated signcircuits andcertain powertedlines at 52 in Fig. 2.

' mg seven or other desired number of teeth and secured to a bushing 42which is rotatable on an arbor 43 projecting. outwardly from a fixedplate 44L in the rear of the rotary dial'Z; this wheel is adapted to bemoved through one-seventh of its circumference by an insulated pin 45carried by the dial 2 at each complete revolution of the latter. Thebushing .42 carries also conductive disks 46, 47' upon the periphery ofwhich ,bear respective l spring contacts or brushes 48, 49, the

brus1 48 having a rearward extension 50 making electrical contact withthe rearl'ace oi the dial 2. The contact 49 is electrically connectedwith a binding post 51 secured to the plate 44. The conductive disk 46has a noneonductive section 53 extending over one-seventh of itscircumference. This device is in use interposed in the electromagneticfcircnit, preferably between the terminal 18 and the dial'2, asindicated in dot- It will be obvious that the electromagnetic circuitwill be normally established through this device so long as the brush 48bears upon the conductive portion of the periphery of disk 46, but isdefinitely interrupted whenever the brush "bears upon the nonconductiveportion. or

cam-mg .of the disk, that is to say, in the construction shown forone-seventh of thc total time. During such time engagement of the arms 5or 6 with the contacts 8 or 10 does, not operate the switch.

I claim:

1.. A circuit controlli a; device comprising two solenoids each providedwith a core, a main switch comprising-two oppositely disposed pairs offixed contacts, bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mechanismbetween said pairs of contacts for simultaneously operating said bridgepieces, connections whereby the toggle mechanism is actuated bythe'movement of the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby themovement of the core interrupts the circuit of the actuating solenoid.'

2. A circuit controllmp; device comprising two ahned solenoids eachprovided with a core, a non-magnetic section, between said cores, a mainswitch comprising two opposite'ly disposed pairs of fixed contacts,

bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mechanism between said pairs ofcont-acts for simultaneously operating said bridge pieces, connectionswhereby the toggle mechanism is actuated by the movement of the cores.of said solenoids, and means whereby the movement of the coreinterrupts the'circuit of the actuating solenoid.

3. A circuit controllingdevice comprising two solenoids each providedwith a core, a

main switch com 'n'ising two oppositely disposed pairs of contacts,bridge nodes for said'contacts, toggle mechanism lor simultaneouslyoperating said bridge pieces, said toggle mechanism comprising pivotedarms attached to said bridge pieces and toggle levers connecting saidarms, connections whereby the toggle mechanism is actuated by themovement of the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby the movementof the core interrupts the circuit of the actuating; solenoid.

4. A circuitcontrolling device comprising two solenoids each providedwith a core, a main switch comprising two oppositely dis posed pairs ofcontacts, bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mechanism forsimultaneously operating, said bridge pieces, said toggle mechanismcomprising pivoted arms attached to said bridr e iieces to' le levers O7 Ct) movement of the cores of said solenoids, and

moans whcreby the movement of the core interrupts-the circuit of theactuating solenoid.

5. A circuit controlling-1 dcvicc'comprising two solenoids each providedwith a core, a main switch comprising two oppositely disposed pairs offixed contacts, bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mechanismbetween said pairs of contacts for simultaneously operating said bridgepieces, connect-ions whereby the toggle mechanism is actuated by themovement of the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby the movementof the core interrupts the circuit of the actuating solenoid, said meanscomprising a pair of terminals and a movable bridge piece adapted tospan said terminals, said bridge piccc actuated by the movement of saidcore.

(5. A circuit controlling device comprising two solenoids each providedwith a core, a main switch comprising: two oppositely disposed nairs offixed contacts, bridge pieces for said contacts, toggle mecna'nismbetween said pairs of contacts for sinniltaneously operating: saidbridge pieces, connections whereby the toggle mechanism is actuated bythe movement of the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby themovement oi the core interrupts the circuit of the actuating solenoid,said means comprising a pair of fixed terminals and a bridge piecepivotally mounted on one of said terminals and adapted to span saidterminals, said bridge.

piece actuated by the movement of said core. I

7 A circuit controlling devlce comprising two solenoids each providedwlth a core a main switch comprising two 0 positely isposed (pairs offixed contacts,- ridge pieces for sai contacts, toggle mechanism betweensaid pairs of contacts for simultaneously 0 erating said bridge ieces,connections I w ereby the toggle meo anism is actuated by the movementof the cores of said solenoids, and means whereby the movement of thecore interrupts the circuit of the actuating solenoid said meanscomprising a pair of fixed terminals, and a spring-controlled bridgepiece pivotally mounted on one of said terminals and adapted to spansaid terminsls, said bridge piece actuated by the movement of said core.In testimony whereof, I affix my signature 1n presence of two witnesses.

% ROBERT B. PATTERSON.

Witnesses:

CLINTON P. TowNsENn,

l J. B. HILL.

